Context:

• The Department of School Education signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Book Trust to create an institutional framework for the Digital Library Platform, Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya. This collaboration aims to increase access to non-academic books for children and adolescents across India.

Important Points

What is digital Library?

• A ‘Digital Library’ is a specialized library that focuses primarily on the collection, storage, and retrieval of digital objects. The digital collection may be of different format for example, text, audio-video material, photograph and so on.

Purpose of Digital Library

• The digital library aims to resolve the ‘last mile’ accessibility issue for many states by offering over 10,000 books in more than 100 languages within the next 2-3 years. Currently, over 1,000 books in 23 languages are available.

Aim of Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya

• Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya will feature over 1,000 non-academic titles from more than 40 publishers in 22 languages, besides English. 
• The platform will cater to four age groups (3-8, 8-11, 11-14, and 14-18 years) as per NEP 2020 guidelines, and will be accessible on Android and iOS devices. 
• The library will offer books across multiple genres, fostering cultural awareness and empathy. 
• The initiative, expected to bridge the digital divide, will ensure books are accessible anytime and anywhere, promoting healthy reading habits among youth. 
• The MoU signifies a collaborative effort to improve the educational environment in India.

Important Fact for exam 

Different Digital initiatives taken by the Government of India

National Book Trust

• Formation:  1957
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Chairman: Prof. Milind Sudhakar Marathe